EFFECTS OF ACCELERATION ON PILOT PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This report attempts to consolidate the findings of previous research in the area of acceleration effects upon performance and to relate these findings to basic piloting behaviors. The decrements in the visual, psychomotor response and intellectual processes which have been found to accompany acceleration stress are quantified where possible. Both transverse and positive accelerations have been shown to raise the level of contrast required for visual brightness and to reduce general acuity at accelerations well below those which result in gross visual impairment. Similar impairments in discrimination response rates are also discussed. The techniques thus far used to assess higher mental ability under acceleration are presented as are some of the problems which complicate such measurements. Data from such studies are presented to illustrate the reduction in immediate memory and information processing capabilities of pilots experiencing both high level, short term and moderate, extended accelerations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 26, 1963
Accession Number
AD0408686

Entities

People

  • Randall M. Chambers

Organizations

  • Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analog Computers
  • Brightness
  • Centrifuges
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Computers
  • Control Panels
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Information Processing
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Measurement
  • Physiological Effects
  • Psychology
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Reaction Time
  • Simulations
  • Task Performance And Analysis
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.